JOHOR BARU: The StarProperty Awards 2026 – Jewels of Johor – made a triumphant return after an eight-year hiatus, conferring 51 awards across 21 developers in a major celebration of the state’s revitalised property sector.
Staged at the Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel last night under the theme “Colours of Johor”, the gala dinner gathered real estate leaders, built-environment professionals and state dignitaries to mark the southern corridor’s decisive transition from past residential overhangs to a high-growth economic powerhouse.
The resurgence comes on the back of key catalytic developments, including the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link and the state’s Maju Johor 2030 development agenda.
First launched in 2017 and held for a second edition in 2018, the regional awards were previously paused amid market consolidation and the pandemic.
The 2026 edition not only celebrated 19 ongoing developments but also marked the regional expansion of StarProperty’s signature “From Vision to Legacy” initiative, which audited 11 past winners from the 2017 and 2018 cohorts to assess how their master plans have held up five to 10 years post-handover.
Johor housing and local government committee chairman Mohd Jafni Md Shukor attended the gala dinner, representing Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.
Reading the Mentri Besar’s speech, he congratulated all the award winners.
“In 2026 alone, Johor secured an impressive RM59.43bil in total approved investments. Of this, foreign investment accounted for RM46.27bil, complemented by RM13.16bil in domestic capital. This achievement firmly places Johor second nationwide, contributing 27.20% – more than a quarter – of Malaysia’s total investment volume.
“This capital influx is matched by stellar economic performance. Over the past three years, Johor’s GDP trajectory has shown consistent, accelerating strength – expanding from 4.1% in 2023, climbing to 6.4% in 2024 and surging to 8% in 2025.
“These numbers reflect far more than economic headlines; they represent tangible transformation across our state. They reinforce our clear, uncompromising target under the Maju Johor agenda: to establish Johor as a fully developed, high-income state by 2030, setting our sights on a per capita GDP of RM69,000 and an overall state GDP of RM260bil,” Onn Hafiz said.
As Johor accelerates toward its milestone targets – propelled by game-changing catalysts such as the JS-SEZ and transformative cross-border transit links – he said the property sector sits at the very heart of this journey.
Star Media Group (SMG) group chief executive officer Chan Seng Fatt said that a development’s true quality is proven through time, operational discipline and community stewardship rather than just launch-day architectural promises.
“A well-designed building makes a strong first impression. A well-managed development earns trust over the years.”
“Maintenance, safety, shared facilities and community life all shape the daily experience of residents. These are the qualities that help a development stand the test of time,” he said.
Chan explained that returning to examine completed projects provides invaluable industry-wide feedback that elevates construction and management standards across the board.
“Through our ‘From Vision to Legacy’ initiative, introduced in 2025 (during the 10th anniversary of the StarProperty Real Estate Developer Awards), we look at how award-winning projects perform over time,” he noted.
“Our editorial team and judges have returned to past Jewels of Johor winners from 2017 and 2018 to see how these developments have matured. The purpose is simple: to understand whether the original vision continues to serve the people who live and work there.”
This assessment, he said, serves as a platform for continuous industry advancement, challenging developers to ask what has worked well, how resident needs have changed and what future master plans can do better.
“As Johor grows, the property industry has an important role in ensuring that progress benefits its people,” Chan said.
“This means building homes that meet different needs, connecting communities to jobs and services and planning spaces that remain useful for generations. Long-term success depends on the value a development brings to both its owners and the community around it.”
Also present last night were Johor State Housing Development Corporation chief executive officer Datin Paduka Dr Suhailizan Suliman and SMG chief operating officer Lydia Wang and bureau chief Nelson Benjamin.
All submissions underwent independent technical evaluation by an expert panel drawn from the nation’s foremost professional bodies, namely The Institution of Engineers Malaysia, Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia, Institute of Landscape Architects Malaysia, Royal Institution of Surveyors Malaysia and the Malaysian Institute of Planners.
Among the current projects, Horizon Hills Development Sdn Bhd secured major honours, taking home The Proximity Award for Best Mixed Development for Horizon Hills as well as The Cornerstone Award for Best Landed Development for The Peak @ Horizon Hills.
The Cornerstone Award also celebrated LINBAQ Holding Sdn Bhd’s Ascent Park and Faire Development Sdn Bhd’s bée.
In the family-focused segments, Matrix Concepts Holdings Bhd (Matrix Concepts) bagged The Family-Friendly Award for landed residential with Impiana Damai 2 at Bandar Seri Impian.
The high-rise category for family-centric homes saw triple honours awarded to Plenitude Bhd’s Mandolin Residences, Mah Sing Group Bhd’s (Mah Sing) M Grand Minori and Chin Hin Group Property Bhd’s Amberwood Resort Residences.
Strategic urban connectivity was spotlighted through R&F Development Sdn Bhd’s R&F Princess Cove, which clinched The Close To Home Award for developments featuring comprehensive amenities within walking distance.
High-rise urban living was further recognised through TSLAWLand’s Skyline One Sentosa, which took home The Skyline Award while YKL Capital Sdn Bhd took The Business Estate Award for The Hub Business Park.
For master-planned communities, Genting Property Sdn Bhd’s Genting Indahpura captured The Neighbourhood Award in the above 2,000-acre township category, while Matrix Concepts’ Bandar Seri Impian claimed the honours for townships between 500 and 2,000 acres.
The Southern Star Award, which honours premier developments across the southern region, went to IJM Land Bhd’s Maison Parc at Austin Duta, MB World Group Bhd’s Florian Residences (Vista Tiara 1) at MBW Bay, Majestic Gen Sdn Bhd’s GEN Sphere, YKL Capital’s The Hub Business Park, TSLAWLand’s Skyline One Sentosa and Sime Darby Property Bhd’s Bandar Universiti Pagoh for southern township excellence.
Under the “From Vision to Legacy” review, 11 landmark developments were commended for exemplary maintenance and sustained community value.
Past 2017 recipients honoured for enduring excellence included Eco World Development Group Bhd’s Eco Botanic for boutique township, Horizon Hills for comprehensive township, Berinda Group’s Molek Pine 4 across both high-rise residential and sustainable development categories and AME Elite Consortium Bhd’s i-Park @ Senai Airport City for industrial park development.
Past projects from the 2018 edition recognised for long-term stewardship included Mah Sing’s The Eden @ Meridin East for affordable housing, JLG Land Bhd’s Menara JLand for commercial property, Sunway Iskandar Sdn Bhd’s Sunway City Iskandar Puteri for comprehensive township, UEM Sunrise Bhd’s Estuari Gardens for quality and finishing and Horizon Hills for both family-centric and safety features.
The evening concluded with the presentation of the Jewels of Johor Award Recognition Trophy to all 21 participating developers, celebrating their collective commitment to building resilient, sustainable and high-value communities across southern Malaysia.
